Page 16 - Security Today, April 2019

Coming of Age Integrators should investigate interactive video monitoring
BSy Fredrik Wallberg
ecuring outdoor assets can be a tricky proposition. For starters, traditional outdoor security systems are expen- sive. Motion sensors, fence
sensors and visible-light cameras offer limit- ed capabilities that make them prone to false alarms. In fact, many of these technologies cause so many false alarms that some opera- tors tend to assume all alarms are false.
Customers may even choose to cancel their service for outdated, passive and in- ferior theft-prevention equipment that has proved time and again to be inadequate for providing the outdoor security they require to protect their assets. This does not bode well for integrators who offer these solutions and services. It’s no longer enough for inte- grators to rely on doing more installations to grow their companies, which is, at best, a break-even proposition.
The key to securing commercial properties is to implement a system that allows for pro- active prevention rather than simply reactive cleanup and investigation. Security guards are one approach to outdoor security, but they may not be cost-effective or practical in all locations.
Today, more and more end users under- stand the benefits of live video monitoring— thanks in part to the growth of residential “smart doorbell” products and their positive impact. The good news is that there are cost- effective, high-performing solutions in the security sector that enable improved video monitoring, and smart business owners are seeking out and working with integrators who can deliver them.
Technologies Accelerating
the Growth of Video
Monitoring
Where outdoor video monitoring has tradi- tionally been plagued by nuisance alerts, that is changing drastically with today’s more sta- ble, higher-quality cameras. These new video solutions feature refined detection, more ef- ficient video compression, and proven soft- ware. Many of them include improved image sensors, embedded processors, video analyt- ics, deep learning, and two-way audio func- tionality for real-time response. The result is a new generation of multi-spectral solutions optimized for wide area monitoring and pe- rimeter protection.
The most effective of these solutions typi-
valid and that immediate response will likely result in an arrest. In many cases, police de- partments prioritize response to these calls.
These verified alerts assure law enforce- ment that the notifications were not another false alarm or an employee who returned to retrieve their phone, keys or other item that was left behind. Thus, real-time alerting en- ables maximum response time, which can save end users from loss of merchandise or equip- ment, business interruptions or vandalism.
Realizing Increased Security and Reduced Costs for End Users
For business customers, interactive video monitoring offers numerous benefits to a well-designed and effective outdoor security system, most notably increased security and reduced costs. In addition to remote guard- ing and patrol as well as alarm verification, there are many applications of interactive video monitoring.
Common examples include remote escort- ing, supervision, managed gate or door ser-
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cally consists of a variety of advanced tech- nologies, with thermal imaging and classifi- cation analytics serving as the cornerstone. Multiple thermal sensors can be deployed to deliver 24/7 monitoring regardless of light- ing or weather conditions. Thermal cameras naturally produce the type of sharp, high- contrast images that enable higher-perform- ing analytics. In thermal images, people and vehicles clearly stand out, eliminating de- pendence on exterior lighting to create good contrast. Because the analytics don’t struggle to “see” objects of interest, the result is a powerful, reliable intrusion detection solu- tion that produces fewer false positives.
A properly designed and installed system leveraging these technologies can detect in- truders and be used for video verification of events by a live person. In addition to remote response, event video can also show remote operators exactly where an intrusion oc- curred, as well as how many people or vehicles were involved. With access to both video of the event and live video, operators can con- firm with absolute certainty that the alarm is
REMOTE MONITORING